GALVESTON — Island environmentalist Bob Moore has lent his name to many island preservation efforts during the last 40 years.On Friday, he gave it up permanently to a 31-acre island just north of Lafitte’s Cove between Eckert’s Bayou and Delehide Cove.Developer Jeff Blackard donated the newly named Robert M. “Bob” Moore Wildlife Sanctuary to the Galveston Bay Foundation and Cabeza de Vaca Center, a nonprofit group founded by Moore 11 years ago.Through the protection of a conservation easement, the land will be kept in its natural state in perpetuity.In a prepared statement, Blackard said he chose both groups for their understanding of and passion for preserving the island’s environment.Moore said his dedication to the environment stemmed from his desire to protect God’s creation and thanked Blackard for being a good steward.Barbara Railey, president of the Cabeza de Vaca board of directors, said the group’s first priority was to clear the island of the invasive plant species that cover it now and give the area’s natural vegetation a chance to grow.Eventually, the group plans to clear walking trails across the island so visitors can fully enjoy it. The island is only accessible by boat.Railey said it was Blackard’s idea to name the property for Moore, who founded Cabeza de Vaca in hopes of some day building an educational center to teach people about the land and the group’s name sake.Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca is the 16th century Spanish explorer credited with being the first European to trek across Galveston’s shores. He wrote “La Relación,” the account of his 1528 landing and the eight years he spent living among the Native American population, in an attempt to persuade the Spanish royal family to be more tolerant toward the Indians.The wildlife sanctuary is the second piece of property the group has received from a local developer. Tim Beeton and Bob Randall donated the first, a 12-acre tract on Teichman Road.